Shelbourne 2-2 Shamrock Rovers: Bradley’s Side Rescue Point in Entertaining Clash
Dublin, Ireland – Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley expressed frustration with his team’s slow start after a 2-2 draw with Shelbourne at Tolka Park on . The champions fell behind by two goals within the opening 13 minutes, but rallied with goals from John McGovern and a Dylan Watts penalty to secure a point.
The rearranged fixture, originally postponed due to inclement weather, saw Shelbourne grab an early lead through Harry Wood in the eighth minute. Wood, who has now scored four league goals in as many games, found space on the edge of the area to fire a low shot past Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty. Five minutes later, John Martin doubled the lead, tapping home a cross from Wood at the back post.
Bradley was critical of his team’s lack of preparedness, stating, “We just didn’t start, it was a sloppy start from us. Defensively really poor obviously and we gave them a headstart,” he told RTÉ Sport. “Just sloppy – sloppy minds – we weren’t ready to start the game and that’s not acceptable. We can’t do that and receive away with it.”
Rovers responded before halftime, with McGovern pulling a goal back in the 26th minute. A cross from Mise Sobowale found McGovern in the area, who scored low past Wessel Speel, hitting the post in the process. The equalizer arrived in the 32nd minute when Matt Healy played a ball over the top to McGovern, who was brought down by Speel, earning a penalty. Watts calmly converted the spot-kick, leveling the score at 2-2.
The second half saw Shelbourne create several opportunities to regain the lead. Dan Kelly headed wide from close range in the 53rd minute, and later, a header from Zeno Ibsen Rossi, making his first start for Shelbourne after joining on loan from Cambridge United, was deflected onto the roof of the net. Ali Coote also shot narrowly wide for the Reds.
Bradley acknowledged his side’s improved performance after conceding the second goal, saying, “After the goals we gave away we were excellent in every capacity,” but reiterated his disappointment with the opening stages. “Frustrating at the start but everything else after that was really, really excellent.” He added that the team was the better side after falling behind, but conceded they cannot consistently afford to concede early goals.
Rovers introduced a quadruple substitution in the 68th minute, bringing on Jack Byrne, Graham Burke, Michael Noonan, and Adam Brennan, demonstrating the depth of their squad. Burke had a chance to win the game late on, but shot over from the edge of the area.
Shelbourne manager Joey O’Brien felt his side were close to turning their fortunes around, despite failing to secure a first home league win of the season. The Reds have drawn with Galway United and lost narrowly to St Patrick’s Athletic at home prior to this match.
The draw leaves Shamrock Rovers five points behind Bohemians in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division, having played the same number of games. Bradley acknowledged the points dropped, stating, “Of course, yeah,” when asked if it was two points lost.
Shelbourne: Wessel Speel; Sean Gannon (Sam Bone 65), JJ Lunney (Will Jarvis 77), Zeno Ibsen Rossi, James Norris, Daniel Kelly, Maili Lundgren (Ali Coote 55), Kerr McInroy (John Henry Francis 55), Harry Wood, Kaeron Ledwidge, John Martin (Sean Boyd 65).
Shamrock Rovers: Ed McGinty; Lee Grace, Roberto Lopes, Cory O’Sullivan; Mise Sobowale (Adam Brennan 68), Matt Healy, Conor Malley (Jack Byrne 68), Dylan Watts (Victor Ozhianvuna 77), Danny Grant; John McGovern (Michael Noonan 68), Aaron Greene (Graham Burke 68).
Referee: Rob Hennessey.